Waikato and Bay of Plenty state highway works for September 2023

The start of spring signals the first shoots of new growth on plants and trees, and it also sees road construction crews making the first moves of the annual road renewal season. 

Crews will be out completing pre-seal repairs ahead of chipsealing, as well as undertaking the first road rebuilding and asphalt resurfacing works, says Roger Brady, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency Bay of Plenty System Manager. 

“This summer is going to be a significant one for our roading crews, and therefore it will have an impact on people’s journeys.  

“As well as undertaking a big programme of road renewals across the Waikato and Bay of Plenty, there are ongoing recovery works across the Coromandel Peninsula, proactive resilience works, safety improvement projects and large infrastructure projects all taking place as well. 

“The sheer volume of work we need to undertake means that road users may well come across multiple worksites on their journey. As such, it’s critical that everyone plans ahead and understands how their journey will be impacted so they can reach their destination on time.” 

Road users can use the Waka Kotahi Journey Planner (journeys.nzta.govt.nz) to view all disruptive activity and potential hazards on the network at any point in time. Other channels such as social media and this bulletin, which will be published weekly over the renewal season, will highlight key worksites that will cause significant disruption. 

“Our road workers will be completing work as quickly as possible, and a lot of planning is taking place to minimise disruption as much as possible,” says Mr Brady.

“When you do come up to a worksite remember to give our crews a wave and a smile, they’ll appreciate the recognition of their hard work.” 

Bay of Plenty 

Tauranga 

• Tauranga: The Zespri AIMS Games will take place from Saturday 2 to Friday 8 September, with over 11,000 athletes competing. With more than 20,000 people visiting the city, higher volume of vehicles in the region is expected during this time, with additional delays expected during peak travel periods. More information.(external link)
• Takitimu North Link Stage One: Earthworks will commence in September across a number of sites. On Wairoa Road stop/go traffic management will be in place while trucks are crossing Wairoa Road, and 30km/h speed limits will be in place at all times within the construction area. On Cambridge Road a diversion road will be starting construction in the southern area of the construction zone. Multiple utility relocations works are in progress, with a 30km/h speed limit in place at all times with shoulder closures and stop/go expected at times. Minden Road has a 30km/h speed limit throughout the construction zone. Construction has begun on a temporary haul road into the Te Mete Valley to support the summer earthworks season. The single-lane haul road will be separated from SH2 with a temporary concrete barrier, which has been installed along with new road markings. Road users should be aware of the new road layout and temporary speed limit of 60km/h on SH2 alongside the haul road. 
• SH2 Bay Link: With the Bay Link project working towards completion later this year, people travelling through the area will see changes to the road layout coming up more frequently. To minimise impact, traffic switches to put new road layouts in place are undertaken at night. With new road layouts requiring changes to the way people travel, people are asked to take extra care when travelling through the area while everyone gets used to the new layouts, especially during morning and evening peak times. Traffic switches, and the work leading up to them, are carefully sequenced and weather dependent. More information(external link). 
• SH29 Takitimu Drive Toll Road (TDTR): A reduced speed limit of 80km/h is in place while contractor crews are working behind the barriers.    
• SH2 Fifteenth Avenue: Work continues on the upgrade of the SH2 / Fifteenth Avenue / Cameron Road intersection. Work is underway at the southern central median. Work will shift to the centre islands on the eastern and western sides of the intersection in the coming weeks, so contractors can complete the signalised traffic pole ducting and new kerbs. Temporary traffic management is in place, with turning lane closures in place on Cameron Road. Traffic can still turn into SH2 and Fifteenth Avenue using other lanes. There are multiple active worksites along Cameron Road between SH2 and Elizabeth Street, moderate traffic delays are expected. More information(external link). 
• Totara Street: Road surfacing works are taking place on Totara Street, between Maui Street and Astrolabe Street, on both Monday 4 and Tuesday 5 September. Works will take place between 9pm and 5am each night, with stop/go traffic management in place. Further surfacing renewal work will take place later in the month. This work is weather dependent. 
• SH2 Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road (TELTR): For the Tauranga City Council led Pāpāmoa East Interchange construction project, a section of the TELTR, just north of the Kaituna River Bridge, is reduced to three lanes. While earthworks continue on the south side of the road, both eastbound lanes are open and normal speed limits apply. The inner westbound lane is open whilst work continues along the outside lane - the speed limit past the work site is 70km/h. This layout will remain in place until mid-September 2023. More information(external link). 
• The Quayside Properties Ltd led Rangiuru Business Park Interchange project continues. Temporary barriers have been installed on both sides of the TELTR, and these will be in place until approximately October 2023, with one lane available in either direction. A temporary speed limit of 70km/h applies through the site. More information(external link). 

Western Bay of Plenty 

• SH2 Waihī to Ōmokoroa: Sharp Road Intersection - Roundabout construction is underway. Lane shifts and speed reductions are in place. Road layout changes will occur as works progress. There will be intermittent stop/go traffic management in place which may cause longer delays, however typically there will be minor delays of one to two minutes. Please follow the temporary signs and directions of the traffic management team.
• SH2 Waihī to Ōmokoroa: Lockington Road / Matahui Road Intersection - Roundabout construction is underway. Lane shifts and speed reductions are in place. Road layout changes will occur as works progress. There will be intermittent stop/go traffic management in place which may cause longer delays, however typically there will be minor delays of one to two minutes. Please follow the temporary signs and directions of the traffic management team. Stop/go traffic management will also be in place overnight for construction of the asphalt layers within the roundabout area during early September, please allow additional travel time during this period. Please follow the temporary signs and directions of the traffic management team.  
• SH2 Wairoa Cycleway: The Tauranga City Council cycleway construction continues with work taking place both under the Wairoa bridge and in the on-road shoulder at night. The cycleway is due to be completed by late-2023. 

Rotorua 

• SH30 Eastern Corridor Stage Two: There are multiple active worksites on SH30/Te Ngae Road between Iles Road and Ōwhata Road. In places the temporary traffic management includes stop/go, lane shifts and shoulder closures, temporary pedestrian crossings, temporary signalised crossings, footpath closures, and/or reduced speed limits. There is currently a full closure of the eastbound lanes on SH30/Te Ngae Road until Sunday 10 September. All eastbound traffic – including heavy haulage – will be required to turn left at Vaughan Road and follow detours to Ōwhata roundabout. Moderate traffic delays are expected. Access for local residents and businesses will be maintained at all times. More information(external link) 
• SH30 Rotorua Airport: Road rebuilding between Rotorua Airport and 875 Te Ngae Road commences Sunday 3 September, continuing through to mid-October. Temporary traffic management will be in place, and there will be one lane available in each direction at all times to minimise disruption. These works are weather dependent, so may need to be postponed, delayed, and/or extended beyond the expected completion date. 
• SH30/SH33 Te Ngae Junction: The majority of the construction activity is now complete on the new roundabout. Temporary traffic management will be in place as needed including speed restrictions, and shoulder closures along Rangiteorere Road while this is underway. Final surfacing will be completed in October. More information(external link)
• SH30 Te Ngae Junction to Whakatāne: Contractors are installing new speed limit signs along this state highway corridor. This work is expected to be complete early September. While this work is underway there may be shoulder closures and temporary speed limits in place. More information(external link)
• SH33 Te Ngae Junction to Paengaroa: Work on the SH33 safety improvements project continues with work between Allport Road and Mourea. Temporary traffic management will be in place including stop/go, lane shifts and shoulder closures while these works are underway. Minor traffic delays are expected. More information(external link).
• SH33 Okere Falls: Tree trimming will take place on Tuesday 5 September, between the hours of 9am and 3pm. Stop/go traffic management will be in place. Minor delays are expected. 

Eastern Bay of Plenty 

• SH2 Manganuku Bridge, Waioeka Gorge:  Investigations are ongoing for the most effective way of repairing the bridge. The reduced speed limit of 30km/h for heavy vehicles will remain in place until further notice. Heavy vehicles must adhere to the speed limit as those travelling at higher speeds will exert greater loads on the structure, which currently poses a significant risk. 
• SH2 Wainui to Ōpōtiki: Safety improvements between Wainui Road and Woodlands Road near Ōpōtiki continue. This work is expected to be complete in late-2023 (weather dependent). Works consists of shoulder widening and the installation of safety barriers. During this time road users can expect to see shoulder closures and/or stop/go operations in place, as required. Works will take place between 7am and 5pm each weekday. Please allow extra time for your journey as delays up to 10 minutes may be experienced.  

Tairāwhiti Gisborne/Hawke’s Bay 

• SH2 Waioeka Gorge: The foam bitumen stabilisation programme recommences Monday 4 September, running through until late October. Asphalt resurfacing continues, with road closures taking place between the hours of 7pm and 5am each night, Monday to Thursday.  
• SH5 Napier – Taupō: Progress continues at a number of slip sites at the Hawke’s Bay end of SH5. Stop/go traffic management is in place at various sites, along with temporary speed limits. 

Manawatū-Whanganui 

• SH1 Utiku: A ‘slow slip’ has resulted in cracking between Micklesons Road and Utiku South Road. A 30km/h temporary speed limit is in place through the area, along with a temporary re-alignment and narrowing of traffic lanes. 
• SH4 Te Oreore slip: Following a slip in 2019, a temporary road is in place at Te Oreore, with a 30km/h temporary speed limit in place. Construction of three new retaining walls north of the main slip area are ongoing.  
• SH4 Burrell Road: Repairs to the slip have been completed, contractors are waiting for a period of warm weather to complete sealing. 
• SH4 Auraki Streat road retreat: A 30km/h temporary speed restriction remains in place at Auraki Stream road retreat project site. Vehicles are now able to utilise the new section of road, the project is expected to be completed in the coming weeks. 

Waikato 

East Waikato 

• SH25: Recovery works are underway at a number of sites, with temporary traffic management and reduced speed limits in place where required. 
• SH25: Temporary speed limits are being put in place for sections of SH25 to manage safety risks due to an increase in traffic, following the closure of SH25A. The new speeds will come into force in each location as signage is installed. More information(external link)
• SH25A Kōpū-Hikuai: A section of road near the summit has collapsed, and the road is impassable. Detour via SH26, SH2, SH25 via the Karangahake Gorge, or SH25 via Coromandel Town. Work to construct a bridge over the slip area is underway, and the bridge is expected to be open in March 2024.   
• SH26 Morrinsville: Road repair work will be undertaken at night from mid-September onwards at multiple locations. This work will require road users to use short detours. Following this, further repair work will be completed on SH26, outside the dairy factory, in October. 

Central Waikato 

• SH1 Ātiamuri: Side and median barriers have been installed on a 4.5km stretch of highway south of Ātiamuri. Both north and south-bound lanes are restricted to 70km/h until later this year when finishing works and final surfacing can be completed in warmer weather. More information(external link).  
• SH41 Tokaanu: Due to a washout, the road is down to one lane under temporary traffic lights, with a 30km/h temporary speed restriction in place. 
• SH1 Lichfield: The northbound slow lane near Puriri Road is closed until further notice, while investigations take place into options for repair. 

West Waikato 

• SH1B Taupiri: Road resurfacing work will take place at the SH1/SH1B interchange at Taupiri, from Sunday 17 September for 5 nights, between 6pm and 6am each night. Access to SH1B and the service centre via the Taupiri interchange will be restricted during this time.  Detours are available via Horotiu and Ngāruawāhia or Huntly and Taupiri. This work is weather dependent. More information(external link). 
• SH1 Waikato Expressway - Ngāruawāhia Section: Safety improvements and remedial works require the closure of a single lane in each direction with a 70km/h temporary speed limit, until completion in May 2024. Night-time closures and detours are taking place over coming weeks. A southbound closure will be in place between 10-14 September and then northbound will close between 8-12 October. More information(external link). 
• SH1 Waikato Expressway – Rangiriri Section: Remedial works require various interchange ramp closures over one month starting 3 September. SH1 traffic will be managed through the site with a temporary speed restriction of 50km/h. More information(external link). 
• SH1C Hillcrest: Work at the SH1C/Cambridge Road roundabout continues with at least one lane available in each direction. A temporary speed limit of 30km/h is in place at all times. Cambridge Road and Johnsview Terrace are operating as left in/left out only. Please use the SH1C/Wairere Drive interchange to access Cambridge Road and the Hillcrest shops. This work sees the intersection changed to traffic light controls, and is expected to be completed in September 2023.
• SH1C Hillcrest: Vegetation maintenance will be carried out on Sunday 3 September on the southbound side of Cambridge Road in Hillcrest, Hamilton. A damaged streetlight near Riverlea Wreckers will also be replaced at this time. Stop/go traffic management will be in place on the northbound lane between 8.30pm and 5am. These works are weather dependent. 
• SH1 Karapiro (Gorton Road): Road rebuilding commences in September. Initially some drainage work will be completed at night under stop/go traffic management, following this pavement repair work will be undertaken. This will require a day-time detour for southbound traffic via Karapiro Road, Taotaoroa Road and SH29. Northbound traffic will remain on SH1. Overnight the detour will not be required as all traffic will remain on SH1, travelling through stop/go at the site to manage safety. Southbound heavy vehicles will be held at the site and let through at regular intervals. Emergency services will be provided with access through the site at all times. 
• SH1 Karapiro: Construction of a turnaround bay at Keeley’s Reserve is set to start the week of Monday 11 September. The reserve will be closed for the construction period, which is expected to take up to 9 weeks, weather permitting. The speed limit near the reserve will reduce from 100km/h to 50km/h northbound and 70km/h southbound, Monday to Saturday from 7am to 6pm each day. Motorists are advised to prepare for minor delays. Once completed, the right turn out of Keeley’s Reserve onto SH1 will remain open until the turnaround at Tunakawa Road is built early next year and more flexible safety median barriers are installed, at which point the right turn out of Keeley’s Reserve will be permanently closed. More information(external link). 
• SH30 Te Kuiti: Due to a slip, priority give-way is in place near Mangaokewa Road, motorists are advised to proceed with caution. 
• SH30 Kopaki: Due to a drop out between Kopaki Road and Ohirea Road intersection there is stop/go traffic management in place with a temporary speed limit of 30 km/hr. Remedial works have started and are expected to be completed by the end of September. Caution is advised when travelling through this area. 

Taranaki 

• SH3 Awakino: Due to retaining wall installation and repair works, there will be a temporary traffic signals and a 30km/h speed restriction in place. Delays of up to 5 minutes are expected. 
• SH3 Mount Messenger:  Due to slip stabilisation works, a temporary speed restriction of 30km/h with stop/go is in place daily between 7am and 5pm until Thursday 7 September. Motorists should expect delays of up to 15 minutes when travelling through this area. 
• SH3 Te Ara Tutohu Waitara to Bell Block: Due to safety improvement works, there will be stop/go traffic management with a 30km/h speed limit in place on weekdays between 7am and 5:30pm Delays of up to 15 minutes are expected. 

For up to 48 hours following completion of chipseal sites, a 50km/h temporary speed limit will be in place until the road is swept and line marking reinstated. 

The above information is accurate at the time of release. Many of the above works are dependent on a number of factors, particularly weather, and may be postponed at short notice. For up-to-date information on road works, traffic, detours and delays, motorists are encouraged to visit the Waka Kotahi Journey Planner website (journeys.nzta.govt.nz(external link)). 

Waka Kotahi thanks motorists for their patience while we complete this essential work to keep the state highway network safe, accessible and resilient.